Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-March 7, 2023-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“If he is unable to bring a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord, for his trespass offering which he has committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons: one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”

(Leviticus 5:7).

This is a wonderful verse showing the provision of God for the Israelites to bring their sacrifices to Him even if they were poor. Normally, a person would bring a lamb, but those who could not afford a lamb could bring two turtledoves instead. Through the OT we find provisions for the poor. This shows how much He loves all people. Isaiah 55:1-2 says, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”

God is so full of grace and mercy, and loves to save sinners. The offer of a free salvation is freely offered to all people: Jews and Gentiles; men and women; boys and girls; young or old; rich or poor. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” In Romans 6:23, it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

There is a song written by Bob Ferguson in 1958, entitled, “On the Wings of a Dove. It says, “On the wings of snow white dove He sends His pure sweet love, a sign from above on the wings of a dove. When troubles surround us when evils come, the body grows weak, the spirit grows numb, when these things beset us, He doesn’t forget us. When Noah had drifted on the flood many days, He searched for land in various ways, troubles he had some, but wasn’t forgotten, He sent him His love on the wings of a dove. When Jesus went down to the waters that day, He was baptized in the usual way, when it was done, God blessed His Son, He sent Him in love, on the wings of a snow white dove.”

God shows us His compassion, kindness, and love so that we may show them to others. What a blessing. The dove today is a symbol of peace. We so need peace with one another and with God even more. To the child of God who is not anxious but prays and gives thanks to God, He gives the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). Paul also said in Colossians 3:10, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”

May we rejoice in the free gift of eternal life and the peace we have from the Lord. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

On the wings of a dove we have God’s great love,

Dean

-March 6, 2023-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“He also sent out for himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. And he waited seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark” (Genesis 8:8-10).

“Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore” (Genesis 8:11-12).

The dove is a beautiful, calm, and smart bird. It is part of the pigeon family of birds and is mentioned 47 times in the Scriptures. The dove is associated with hope, sacrifice, innocence, peace, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these is wonderful in and of themselves. Unger’s Bible Dictionary says, “The dove was a harbinger of reconciliation with God, and has since been the emblem of peace. It is also a noted symbol of tender and devoted affection, and likewise of mourning. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit which descended upon our Saviour at His baptism, which that peculiar hovering motion which distinguishes the descent of a dove.”

Today we will meditate on the hope and peace we see in the dove. Noah, his wife, their sons, and their son’s wives entered the ark along with all the animals. They were preserved and protected during the Great Flood. It rained 40 days and 40 nights, and the water covered the earth for 150 days. All living creatures outside the ark died. God restarted the human race and every species of the animals over again. God made a covenant with Noah, called the Noahic or Rainbow Covenant to show that He will never again destroy the world through a massive flood.

Man once again had hope for a better and brighter future. God’s plan for man’s salvation through His Son Jesus Christ would come to those who believe in Him, His sacrifice for sin on the cross and His glorious resurrection. The promise of forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and a home in heaven is assured. God is a God of hope and peace.

The white dove in particular, is a symbol of the righteousness of Christ that has been imputed to us. The tender, calm, beautiful, and precious dove is a blessing to us. Noah first sent out a raven, but it never found dry ground nor did it return to him. That is when he sent out the dove three times. On her second flight, she brought back a freshly plucked olive leaf. Noah then knew the waters had completely receded from the earth. Just imagine how happy Noah felt. It was the dawn of a new beginning for Noah, his family, and the animals.

As believers in Christ, He is our hope in the midst of a hopeless world; and our peace in the midst of turmoil, conflict, and despair. Romans 15:13 says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In the next several days we will consider the other lessons we can learn from the dove. I trust that all our hearts will be blessed. Have blessed day with renewed hope. As our dear pastor Adel likes to say, “The best is yet to come.” Stay safe and healthy.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Dean

-March 5, 2023-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, ‘Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (Which is to say, Teacher)”

(John 20:14-16).

What an amazing scene at the tomb of Jesus! Mary Magdalene loved Jesus so much and devotedly followed Him. He had delivered her from demon possession, seven demons to be exact. She loved much because she was forgiven much. She was the last person at the cross and the first one at the tomb. In the previous verses we see her standing outside the tomb weeping. Then she saw two angels where the body of Jesus had been laid.

She thought someone had come and taken away His body. Just then she turns around and sees Jesus standing there but doesn’t recognize Him. She wasn’t alone in this. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus thought He was a stranger, and the disciples who went fishing with Peter did not recognize Him either. I believe God prevented them from recognizing Him at this time. Later, He came and stood before the disciples and showed them His hands and side. They were glad when they saw the Lord.

John 20:18 says, “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” He had told her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go and tell My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and Your God.” What a great privilege and responsibility she had to bring the message of joy of the risen Savior to the sorrowing disciples.

How about us? Do we recognize Jesus for who He is: the Son of the living God, our Lord and Savior? Many today mistake Jesus for just being a good man, a great teacher, a respected religious leader. When one comes to the realization of who Jesus really is, their life is never the same again! One day we will see Him seated at the right hand of God. We will see and be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (See 1 John 3:1-3). John describes seeing Jesus in Revelation 1:12-16 in stunning and powerful detail.

May the Lord help us to see the Lord Jesus today, to hear His voice, and worship Him. Let us remember His death on the cross for our sins and His glorious resurrection. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

Recognizing the Lord Jesus for who He is and what He has done for us,

Dean

-March 4, 2023-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 1:9).

This is so encouraging and comforting in facing our spiritual battles for the Lord. Sometimes we may feel all alone against the world, but we are never alone. This verse gives us the commandment to be strong and courageous. We can only do this by the power of the Holy Spirit. The devil is out to get us, and the world wants to get squeeze us into its mold.

Psalm 31:24 says, “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. This phrase, “Be of good courage is used seven times in the Scriptures, one for each day of the week (Numbers 13:20; 2 Samuel 10:12; 1 Chronicles 19:13; Ezra 10:4; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 31:24; Isaiah 41:6).

We can be strong and courageous because the Lord is with us wherever we go. He is not just with us in the good times but in all times. We should not fear or be displayed no matter how many giants we face. There were many giants in the Bible besides Goliath. The Israelites defeated them by the power of God.

What giants are you facing in your life? Fear, worry, doubt, or whatever it is, let us be of good courage. The Lord will help us to be victorious by faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. When we face our fears in faith, we will overcome them by the strength of the Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It says, “Fear not, for I am with you: Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Five wonderful promises are found in this one verse; I am with you; I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” It doesn’t get any better than that this side of heaven.

Let us thenbe strong and of good courage. The Lord is with us, in us, and for us. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Being strong in His strength and presence,

Dean

-March 3, 2023-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

(Mark 8:38).

We have many opportunities to stand for the Lord Jesus and His Word. Today, the Lord gave me a wonderful opportunity to take a stand for my Lord and Savior and to articulate my convictions in a public setting: the Superior Court here in my county in California. I was prospective juror number two and time came for the attorney for the defense to question me, I had to speak the truth. The subject of homosexuality came up as part of the case. First I raised my hand when he asked if anyone belonged to a religion that believes it is a sin. A few of the folks answered that it is part of their religion, but they don’t feel that way themselves.

When the attorney asked me what I believed, I said, “I am a born again Christian and I follow the Bible. It says that homosexuality is a sin. Then he asked me how important it is to me. I replied, it is the most important thing in my life to live for the Lord and serve Him.” Later, after our lunch break in the jury selection process, the defense attorney dismissed me as part of his peremptory challenges. The prosecutor wanted to keep me, but the defense had the right to dismiss me. I have been dismissed from every jury I have ever been called to due to my strong beliefs in the Bible.

I was so thankful that I could identify myself publicly as a Christian who believes the truth and stands up for it and speaks up for my Lord. I left that courtroom so joyful and thankful. Acts 5:41 says of Peter and John after they were beaten, told not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus, and released, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

May the Lord give us great courage and holy boldness to speak for Him and to stand for and on the truth of His Word. If we believe it, we must show it, speak it, and live it. There is great power in our personal testimony.

Have a blessed and courageous day standing up for Christ in this adulterous and sinful generation,

Dean